Smart ornament clip

ABSTRACT

A clip comprises a first clip portion having at least one loop disposed on an interior surface, wherein the loop defines an aperture extending therethrough. A second clip portion having a second loop disposed on an interior surface, wherein the second loop defines an aperture extending there through. A hook means having an opening defined by a circumference at an end of the hook. Finally, a pin extending through the at least one loop, the second loop, and the opening, wherein the opening is positioned between the at least one loop and the second loop, wherein the pin is a fulcrum.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of clips, more particularly to clips for hanging ornaments on a tree.

2. Description of Related Art

Ornaments are used to celebrate occasions from Christmas to Easter. Decorative bulbs or elements are displayed in association with a tree whereby a user hangs the ornaments on the branches of the tree in predetermined locations. The ornament has a receiving element to allow for a hook to be attached.

Currently, ornaments require a hook or attachment means to be attached to the ornament at a predetermined location and then a second end of the hook to be attached to the tree. The current hooks provide for a pliable or malleable solid material allowing for a user to shape the hook in order to engage the tree branch. While the hooks are capable of engaging a tree branch, placement of the ornament requires consideration of the location on the branch, where the hook will be attached. Further, where branches are angled downward towards the ground, the hook is subject to gravitational forces and being removed from the tree branch.

Users try to correct this issue by dedicating a large amount of time to tying or wrapping the hook around the branch to ensure secure placement of the ornament. Such secure placement is crucial as ornaments can be extremely delicate. People have been known to collect ornaments during travels or as family heirlooms, which only serves to reinforce the importance of securely displaying ornaments on the tree.

All current devices used to attach ornaments are passive in nature without any active component to positively engage the tree.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art a device, which will allow for the rapid and secure placement of an ornament on a tree. Aside from an ornament, a clip is needed that will allow for active connection between the clip and the desired substrate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A clip comprises a first clip portion having at least one loop disposed on an interior surface, wherein the loop defines an aperture extending therethrough. A second clip portion having a second loop disposed on an interior surface, wherein the second loop defines an aperture extending there through. A hook means having an opening defined by a circumference at an end of the hook. Finally, a pin extending through the at least one loop, the second loop, and the opening, wherein the opening is positioned between the at least one loop and the second loop, wherein the pin is a fulcrum.

In an embodiment, the clip further comprises a spring extending between proximal ends of the first clip portion and the second clip portion, wherein the spring biases a distal end of the first clip portion towards a distal end of the second clip portion, and wherein the first clip portion and the second clip portion rotate about the pin.

In an embodiment, a distal end of the first clip portion has at least one protrusion extending outward therefrom, wherein a distal end of the second clip portion comprises at least two protrusions, wherein the at least one protrusion is positioned between the at least two protrusions when the clip is in a closed position.

In an embodiment, the hook means further comprises a curved end configured to receive an ornament.

In an embodiment, the distal end of the first clip portion and the distal end of the second clip portion are configured to engage a tree branch.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the smart ornament clip, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the smart ornament clip, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the smart ornament clip, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the smart ornament clip, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-4, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

A smart ornament clip has a hook and a clip means. The clip has a first clip portion and a second clip portion. Each of the clip portions has an interior surface with one or more apertures extending parallel to a planar surface of the clip portions. The aperture of the first clip portion is generally disposed near a center of the portion and is configured to align with the aperture of the second clip portion, when in use. A pin is disposed through the apertures thereby locking the first clip portion to the second clip portion. Prior to insertion of the pin, the hook, defined by a circular end and a curved end separated by a hook body, is positioned between the first clip portion and the second clip portion such that the pin extends through the apertures of the first and second clip portion, as well as the circular end of the hook.

A spring is provided biasing a proximal end of the first and second clip portions away from each other. The pin is a fulcrum upon which the first clip portion and the second clip portion articulate allowing for an opening and a closing of the clip.

In an embodiment, the first and second clip portions each have one or more interlocking protrusions extending outward from their respective distal ends. The projections are configured to act as a claw means in order to promote contact between a-typical substrates. For example, where the substrate is a tree branch having various obstructions or ancillary branches, the protrusions are capable of engaging the branch between the obstructions or ancillary branches.

In use, the clip is assembled by forcing the first and second clip portions towards one another, against the spring pressure. The clip portions are pushed together until the apertures of each portion are aligned. The circular end of the hook is positioned such that an opening defined by a circumference of the circular end is aligned with the apertures and the pin is then inserted through the apertures and the opening. An ornament is then attached to the curved end of the hook and the clip portions are opening against the spring pressure to engage a substrate. The clip portions are then released whereby the protrusions and/or clip portion distal ends are forced together, thereby positively engaging the substrate.

In an embodiment, the first and second clip portions positively engage the spring separating each of them. For example, the first clip portion engages a first end of the spring and the second clip portion engages the second end of the spring, whereby the ends of the spring are opposite one another. The first and second lip portions engage the spring on an interior surface, whereby the interior surface of the first clip portion and the second clip portion are positioned to face one another at opposite ends of the spring. The interlocking protrusions are positioned at an upper end of each of the first clip portion and the second clip portion, respectively. The opposite end of each the first and second clip portions may engage each other. For example, a lower end of each of the first clip portion and the second clip portion are hingeably engaged to one another whereby the spring is positioned between the upper and lower portions of each of the first and second clip portions.

In another embodiment, each of the locking protrusions may releasably engage the locking protrusions of the opposite clip portion. The releasable engagement between the locking protrusions may be facilitated by corresponding groves in the locking protrusions of the first clip portion and grooves on the locking protrusions of the second clip portion. For example, when the clip is positioned on a branch of a tree, the locking protrusions are brought together and lock in place facilitated by the corresponding groves engaging one another on the locking protrusions.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A clip comprising: a. a first clip portion having at least one loop disposed on an interior surface, wherein the loop defines an aperture extending therethrough; b. a second clip portion having a second loop disposed on an interior surface, wherein the second loop defines an aperture extending there through; c. a hook means having an opening defined by a circumference at an end of the hook; and d. a pin extending through the at least one loop, the second loop, and the opening, wherein the opening is positioned between the at least one loop and the second loop, wherein the pin is a fulcrum.
 2. The clip of claim 1, further comprising a spring extending between proximal ends of the first clip portion and the second clip portion, wherein the spring biases a distal end of the first clip portion towards a distal end of the second clip portion, and wherein the first clip portion and the second clip portion rotate about the pin.
 3. The clip of claim 1, wherein a distal end of the first clip portion has at least one protrusion extending outward therefrom, wherein a distal end of the second clip portion comprises at least two protrusions, wherein the at least one protrusion is positioned between the at least two protrusions when the clip is in a closed position.
 4. The clip of claim 1, wherein the hook means further comprises a curved end configured to receive an ornament.
 5. The clip of claim 3, wherein the distal end of the first clip portion and the distal end of the second clip portion are configured to engage a tree branch. 